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Decline in Smoking Prevalence——New York City, 2002–2006

June 22, 2007 / Vol. 56 / No. 24

MMWR Highlights

The New York City smoking rate decreased sharply from 21.6% in 2002, after a comprehensive tobacco program was implemented, to 17.5% in 2006.

The decrease in adult smoking prevalence since 2002 represents a larger decline than in the United States overall and 240,000 fewer smokers in New York City.

Young adult smoking (ages 18–24 years) decreased from 23.8% in 2002 to 15.5% in 2006, the largest decline among reported subgroups.

Following a year-long, hard-hitting ad campaign in 2006, that was run because prevalence did not decrease during 2005, smoking decreased significantly among Hispanics (from 20.2% in 2005, to 17.1% in 2006) and men (from 22.5% in 2005, to 19.9% in 2006).